Several commercial banks in Sri Lanka have declared the sell price of a US Dollar as Rs. 371, while the buy price has increased over Rs. 350.
In the wake of the forex crisis, the value of the US Dollar increases on a daily basis, depreciating the Sri Lankan value further. In the backdrop, chances are high that the LKR value further depreciates to Rs. 500.
MIAP
Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister Yoshitha Rajapaksa said he will be taking legal actions against Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake over what he claims as ‘false allegations’ made during a special press conference yesterday (03).
The second son of the Prime Minister noted that he has already instructed his lawyers in this regard.
Calling in a special press conference organised by the Anti Corruption Voice movement at the Sri Lanka Foundations Institute yesterday, MP Dissanayake together with other JVP members exposed a number of large-scale corruption scandals that took place during previous regimes. Many allegations against Yoshitha Rajapaksa were also levelled during the briefing.
Denying the allegations, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister added that the JVP Leader misled the people by citing several land deed numbers.
MIAP
MP Vasudewa Nanayakkara stated that his group will not support any motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking to media after a discussion with the 11 party MP group, Nanayakkara made this observation in response to the no-confidence motion tabled by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
Insisting that his party would not support such a resolution, the MP added that he does not expect other parties representing his group to support it either.
He went on saying that there is no need to table a motion against the President and that the prevailing crisis can be solved while he stays in Office.
Should the President’s powers be reduced, it can be done via the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, he added.
Commenting, MP Udaya Gammanpila stated that the crisis could be resolved by the resignation of the Prime Minister and the formation of a government in which all parties represent.
MIAP
Sri Lanka has imported 1000 metric tonnes of rice under the Indian credit line last week, announced the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation.
These stocks will be distributed for concessionary prices via SATHOSA outlets and supermarkets, the Corporation revealed.
Accordingly, 01kg of Samba rice will be sold for Rs. 175, and 01kg of Nadu rice and Sudu Kekulu rice will be sold for Rs. 145.
Sri Lanka is set to receive 300,000 metric tonnes of rice under the Indian credit line.
MIAP
Finance Minister Ali Sabry speaking in Parliament today (04) revealed that Sri Lanka’s foreign liquidity reserve is below US$ 50 million.
The country should have sought the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) earlier, the Minster confessed, adding that the government tax revenues have dropped to 8.7 per cent at present.
He added that it may take at least six months total for the country to enter a programme with the IMF.
Suggesting that the approved 2022 Budget is no longer realistic, Sabry revealed that the government is hoping to table a new budget in Parliament with increased income taxes introduced.
MIAP
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena today (04) has convened a special Party Leaders’ meeting prior to the Parliament sitting, reports said.
Accordingly, the Party Leaders’ meeting will be held at 09.15 am this morning and the vacant post of Deputy Speaker and the no-confidence motions are believed to be discussed there.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is also set to deliver a special statement in Parliament today.
MIAP
The Ceylon Private Owners Association has decided to dispatch free buses to those attending the anti-government protests. Accordingly, free buses will be provided at a maximum radius of 25 kilometres, said Union President Gemunu Wijeratne.
However, the relief will be provided only to those apolitical and no political party will be provided buses, he added.
MIAP
Certain trade unions are staging strike actions in the political objective of worsening the economic crisis befallen the country, said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing a discussion held with the representatives of several trade unions loyal to the Ruling Party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the President’s House in Fort yesterday (03).
Accordingly, this should be understood and the institutions should not be allowed to collapse, the President emphasised.
Adding the need to resort to new methods and move away from political divisions to overcome the economic crisis, President Rajapaksa thanked the public servants who performed their duties despite the April 28 strike action.
The President’s Media Unit announced that all trade unions have been requested to understand the current situation and provide the necessary assistance to the people to lead a normal life.
MIAP
The details of the talks held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to obtain its support to overcome the prevailing economic crisis in Sri Lanka are due to be tabled in Parliament today (04).
Accordingly, Finance Minister Ali Sabry is preparing to a make a ministerial brief on the matter in the Chambers.
A debate is also due to be held in this regard.
The appointment of a MP for the vacant post of Deputy Speaker is also said to be taken place today, making it possible to learn the power of the government and the opposition.
MIAP
Parliament is set to convene today (04) and the sitting would be very critical with regard to the country’s current political crisis, sources claimed.
This is mainly due to the no-confidence motion against the government handed over to the Speaker by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s reportedly confirmed announcement of his resignation due on being made.
Should the Prime Minister announce his resignation the entire Cabinet will automatically be revoked, leaving a non-existent government in the Chambers.
Meanwhile, heavy Police guard has been deployed around the Parliament premises since yesterday’s evening. Accordingly, Parliament is being heavily guarded with permanent road blocks made of iron pipes.
MIAP
